Implement.



. URGH.

EMBN'T.

LED JAN. 5,1911.

Patented July 11,1911.

HENRY BURCH, OF LA GRANGE, TENNESSEE.

IMPLEMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 5, 1911. Serial No. 600,941.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY BURCH, a citizen of the United States,residing at La Grange, in the county of Fayette and State of Tennessee,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Implements, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in implements, such as hoes,pitch-forks, and the like, and especially with reference to theconstruction of the shank of the implement and coacting means forattaching a handle thereto, the inventionconsisting in the construction,combination and arrangement of devices hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a perspective view of animplement provided with a shank and handle attaching devices constructedin accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewof the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View of the same.

The implement head A may be that of a hoe, or a pitchfork or any otherimplement, my invention being applicable to implements of various kinds.In accordance with my invention, the implement head is provided with ashank 1, which is curved to form a goose-neck 2, and is provided with acomparatively straight arm 3, forming the terminal of the shank. Thesaid arm of the shank is semi-tubular in form in cross section, and thesame narrows and tapers toward the goose-neck, so that a tapering socket4, or ferrule is formed in and by the said arm 3 which socket or ferruleis semi-tubular cross-sectionally at all points excepting lts inner endwhich inner end 5 is formed by the goose-neck or that portion or otherlike devices 9. The ends of the clip 8 overlap and engage the outersides of the larger outer end portion of the said semi-tubular arm 3, sothat the said clip acts to bend the sides of the said semi-tubular armor ferrule firmly against those of the handle. Hence the ferrule isdiametrically adjustable according to the size of the handle and theclip which coacts with the ferrule causes the handle to be firmlyengaged and clamped by and between the ferrule Patented July 11, 1911.

and the clip. In the event that the handle shrinks, the clip 8 may beset up on the rivet or connecting device 9 to prevent the handle fromworking loose in and between the ferrule and the clip. By forming thestop 5 by the goose-neck portion of the shank, and causing the inner endof the handle to engage the said stop, the rivets or connecting devices9 are to a large extent relieved of the stress incident to the use ofthe implement and the handle is prevented from working longitudinally inthe ferrule.

I claim The herein described implement comprising a shank provided witha goose-neck portion and with an arm forming an extension thereof andalso forming a substantially semi-tubular ferrule open on its upper sideand tapered longitudinally toward the goose-neck, said goose-neck risingfrom the bottom of and forming a stop at the inner end and united to andconnecting the sides of the ferrule, a handle having its inner portiondisposed in the ferrule and its outer end engaged by the said stop,semi-circular clips on the handle and opposite the ferrule and overlyingand engaging the sides thereof, and fastening devices extending throughthe handle, the clips and the ferrule and securing them together, theoverlying ends of the clips co-acting with the fastening devices tofirmly clamp the sides of the ferrule against the handle.

In testimony whereof'I hereunto afliX my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

HENRY BURCH.

WVitnesses:

ED SMITH, GRAOHY F ARLEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

